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Logging Truck Accident Attorney In Huntington, WV
Logging trucks are a common sight on West Virginia roads. The logging industry provides numerous job opportunities to West Virginians, especially in truck driving. Because logging trucks are common in West Virginia, so are preventable accidents.
As a result, logging truck accident victims are plagued with thousands of dollars in medical bills in an attempt to put themselves together. At Warner Law Offices, PLLC, our logging truck accident attorneys in Huntington, WV are here to help victims maximize their compensation to the fullest extent of the law. Let our trucking accident lawyers in Huntington help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Why Do Logging Truck Accidents Happen?
Logging truck accidents do not just happen out of nowhere. In most cases, there are clear factors that make these crashes more likely, and many of them could have been avoided with proper care. Understanding the main causes of accidents is important because it shows why victims deserve accountability.
Overloaded or Improperly Secured Logs
Logging trucks often carry massive, uneven loads of timber. If the logs are not balanced or properly tied down, they can shift, causing the truck to tip or spill cargo onto the road. This creates a serious hazard for both the truck driver and anyone driving nearby.
Driver Fatigue
Logging truck drivers often face long hours and tight deadlines. Fatigue slows reaction times, clouds judgment, and can even lead to a driver falling asleep at the wheel. When someone is responsible for handling such a heavy vehicle, exhaustion makes an already dangerous job even riskier.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
These trucks take a beating from constant heavy hauling, often on rough or uneven terrain. If brakes, tires, or steering systems are not regularly maintained, the risk of sudden equipment failure rises sharply. A brake failure or blown tire on a logging truck can turn into a catastrophic accident in seconds.
Hazardous Road Conditions
Many logging routes run through narrow, steep, or poorly maintained roads. Rain, snow, or ice can make those conditions even more dangerous for a truck hauling unstable cargo. One slip on a sharp curve or a patch of slick pavement can easily cause a rollover or collision.
Who Is Liable After a Logging Truck Accident?
After a serious logging truck accident, victims often wonder who may be liable. In West Virginia, several different parties may share liability. The trucking company or logging operation company could be liable if they hired an unqualified driver or pressured the driver to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines.
The Logging Company
Under W. Va. Code §55-7-13d, an injured party may sue a logging truck company directly if the victim can show that the truck driver involved in the accident was acting within the scope of employment at the time of the accident. In other words, if a logging truck driver was working when the accident occurred, the logging truck company can be held liable.
The Driver of the Logging Truck
While Huntington does not have ordinances directly addressing logging truck accidents, it does have local rules addressing parking trucks in public places. Under Huntington, W. Va., Code of Ordinances § 361.30, logging truck drivers cannot park their vehicles on the street unless the trucks are unloading passengers or unloading merchandise.
Additionally, Huntington, W. Va., Code of Ordinances § 361.03 makes it illegal to stop, stand, or park a vehicle in certain places where it could block traffic or create safety hazards, like crosswalks, intersections, or in front of driveways. If a logging truck driver ignored those ordinances and caused an accident, a logging truck accident victim could have additional arguments to support their claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Logging Truck Accident?
Logging truck accident victims can file a lawsuit to receive compensation. Under W. Va. Code §55-2-12, victims have up to two years after the accident to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. After two years, victims will not be able to seek compensation in a court of law.
The two-year deadline can be a short amount of time to gather all the information and documentation to file a lawsuit. Our logging truck accident attorneys are able to gather, prepare, and represent victims within a reasonable timeframe to ensure lawsuits are filed within the statute of limitations.
What Are Some Costs Associated With a Logging Truck Accident?
The financial burden after a logging truck accident can be staggering. Victims can accumulate thousands of dollars worth of damages, which can lead to financial ruin. Some expected costs from a logging truck accident include:
Medical Bills
Victims of logging truck accidents can expect drastic medical costs. An emergency room visit usually means immediate tests, scans, and treatment for urgent injuries. Hospital stays often stretch for days or weeks while patients stabilize, which can be costly for many victims. Moreover, rehabilitation and follow-up appointments help track healing and catch any complications early; yet, each appointment can require copays from victims. All of this care adds up quickly, leaving many families with overwhelming medical bills.
Lost Income
Lost income is another major burden. Many people injured in a logging truck accident cannot return to work right away, and some never regain their full earning capacity. This means not only lost wages in the short term but also a permanent loss of future income.
Property Damage
Property damage is another significant cost. The force of a logging truck crash often totals smaller vehicles, which can lead to thousands of dollars in damages. Victims may also have to replace work tools, equipment, or personal items destroyed in the crash. There are also potential expenses like renting a replacement car or paying for medical transportation.
Pain and Suffering
Finally, victims can have costs associated with pain, suffering, and emotional trauma. Some of these costs may be incurred through the victims seeking therapy and therapeutic services. While money cannot undo the damage caused by the accident, it can provide some measure of justice and help restore dignity after a devastating accident.
Injuries Associated with Logging Truck Accidents
Victims can experience several life-changing injuries after a logging truck accident. In particular, victims can experience both physical and psychological harm as a result of these crashes, which our Huntington logging truck attorneys will consider when seeking compensation. Some of the most common injuries caused by logging truck collisions include:
Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)
Because of the size and force of logging trucks, spinal cord injuries are a frequent and devastating outcome. These injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis, leaving victims unable to walk or perform daily tasks. Recovery is long and uncertain, often requiring lifelong medical care and major lifestyle adjustments.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Traumatic brain injuries are another common result of logging truck accidents. Victims may struggle with memory problems, mood swings, or long-term cognitive difficulties that affect work and family life. In severe cases, ongoing rehabilitation and therapy are necessary just to regain basic functions.
Fractures and Loss of Limbs
Logging truck accidents often cause severe fractures, crushed limbs, or even amputations. Treating these injuries usually requires multiple surgeries and the possible use of prosthetics. Rehabilitation can take months or years, leaving victims unable to return to their normal routines.
Psychological Harm
Beyond the physical injuries, many victims face emotional challenges like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression. Reliving the accident or coping with permanent injuries can take a heavy toll on mental health. Without proper treatment and support, these issues can interfere with recovery and quality of life.
What to Do After a Logging Truck Accident?
The steps you take right after a logging truck accident can make a big difference in protecting your rights and strengthening your claim. Our logging truck accident attorneys suggest the following actions to safeguard your health and preserve important evidence:
- Contact the Authorities: Call the police so the accident is officially documented. Under W. Va. Code §17C-4-6, any crash involving injuries, fatalities, or property damage over $1,000 must be reported. Officers will investigate, gather details, and file a report that can later serve as a key piece of evidence.
- Gather Evidence at the Scene: If it is safe to do so, take photos and videos of the vehicles, the roadway, debris, and your injuries. Collect names and insurance details from the drivers involved, and ask witnesses for their contact information. The more details you have, the easier it will be to support your version of events.
- Notify Insurance and the DMV: A victim is also required to report the accident to their insurance company promptly. In addition, victims must report accidents that cause injury, death, or more than $500 in damage to be reported to the Division of Motor Vehicles.
Why You Need an Experienced Logging Truck Attorney
Having a lawyer on your side ensures you do not have to handle the insurance company alone. At Warner Law Offices, PLLC, we review the facts, build a strong case, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Warner Law Offices, PLLC prides itself on providing the most thorough expert and forensic evidence to help you maximize your compensation.
How Can a Victim Maximize Their Compensation?
A victim can maximize the possibility of receiving medical compensation by seeking legal representation. There are two ways in which a logging truck accident attorney can help victims.
Filing an Insurance Claim
If you or a loved one has been injured in a logging truck accident, the first step is to file a claim with the liable party’s insurance. In many cases, a fair settlement will take time to negotiate. Our attorneys can examine the details of your case to determine the best course of action, negotiating on your behalf to protect your interests.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
When an insurance company and the victim do not agree on the amount of compensation for the injury, filing a personal injury lawsuit is usually the next step. A personal injury lawsuit is adversarial in nature, meaning that the victim and the insurance company are represented by attorneys. To sue a trucking company requires experience, tact, and grit. These qualities are exemplified by our Huntington logging truck accident lawyers, who are well-equipped to fight for you.
Our Law Firm Is with You Every Step of the Way
Whether you are filing an insurance claim or need to commence the process for a personal injury lawsuit, Warner Law Offices, PLLC, has the experience to zealously represent your best interests.
Our logging truck accident attorneys pride themselves on providing our clients with personalized legal service. While we recognize that some people need legal services, we also know that other West Virginians face challenges that cannot be addressed in the legal justice system.
What to Expect When You Work with Warner Law Offices, PLLC
Warner Law Offices, PLLC, prides itself on supporting our community in the best way possible. For those reasons, we provide free consultations to assess how to maximize compensation for your case. The meeting does not have an initial cost, and there is no contractual obligation between the attorney and the potential client at that time. To better understand how our free consultations work, it is important to know what to expect during your legal consultation.
Conversations During the Free Consultation
This is when the attorney and the potential client address the facts, chronology, and legal issues, as well as discuss present injuries. To better prepare for a free consultation with our team, we recommend that you bring the following documents, if available:
- Copies of police reports
- Photographs of property damage
- Insurance claim documents
- Written or video-recorded witness statements
- Medical records
- Doctor’s notes related to your injury
The best time to call for a consultation is as soon as possible after an accident. You may not have any of the documents or reports at this time. Our Huntington logging truck lawyers can gather critical evidence on your behalf, prepare and file your insurance claim, and help you protect your best interests.
Contact Our Logging Truck Accident Attorneys in Huntington, WV
Many law firms charge you hourly rates or upfront fees. At Warner Law Offices, PLLC, our logging truck accident attorneys made the decision years ago to provide free consultation and free case evaluations. You will pay nothing while we work on your case, and we will only get paid if we win. To set up a free case review with experienced Huntington logging truck accident lawyers near you, contact our law firm today.